For the first time since 19994, the Cleveland Browns are 4-1. In front of 12,000 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland Browns defeated the Indianapolis Colts 32-23. Facing the NFL’s best defense against the rush without star running back Nick Chubb. First-year head coach Kevin Stefanski was forced to make adjustments to his offensive game plan. Stefanski abandoned the heavy run offensive game plan. With the Colts defense playing to stop the run, the Browns used the play-action pass to move the ball effectively. The Browns would end up throwing the ball a season high thirty-eight times on their way to defeating the Indianapolis Colts and are now on a four-game win streak.
Both the Browns and Colts got off to a hot start offensively. Each team scored points on their first two offensive drives. Resulting in a 10-10 tie in the second quarter. Then Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield led the Browns down the field on a nine play and seventy-five yard drive, in which Mayfield connected with Rashard Higgins for a fifteen yard touchdown to give the Browns a 17-10 lead. The Browns added another field goal before the first half ended and took a 20-10 lead into halftime.
Shortly into the third quarter, Browns’ safety Ronnie Harrison made the biggest defensive play of the game for the Browns by intercepting Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers. Harrison returned the interception forty-seven yards for a touchdown. Giving the Browns a commanding 27-10 lead. However, the fourth win of the season for the Cleveland Browns did not come easy. Fresh off the defensive touchdown for the Browns. The Indianapolis Colts brought themselves roaring back into the game after rookie Isaiah Rodgers returned a 101 yard kickoff for a touchdown. Then five plays into the Browns next offensive drive, the Colts intercepted Baker Mayfield. The Colts had to settle for a field goal. Cleveland’s lead was now just seven points.
With 14:51 left in the game the Browns were forced to punt the ball and give the Colts a chance to score and tie the game up. All the momentum had shifted and was on Indianapolis’ side. Browns’ punter Jamie Gillan was able to grab some of that momentum back from the Colts when Gilan’s punt pinned the Colts down at their own four yard line. On the first play of the drive from near his own goal-line, Phillip Rivers dropped back into his own end-zone and was quickly pressured by Myles Garrett and was forced to throw the ball away. Rivers’ throw out of bounds was not near any Colts eligible receivers resulting in an intentional grounding penalty and safety. Giving the Browns a 29-20 lead in the fourth quarter.
Then with 11:35 left in the fourth quarter the Browns’ defense intercepted Rivers again. This time it was Cleveland backup safety Spencer Redwine with the interception. Giving the Browns the ball in Colts territory at the Indianapolis forty-nine yard line.
However, the Colts once again brought themselves back into the game when Baker Mayfield was hit hard as he threw. His pass was intercepted for the second time of the game. Following the interception, the Colts offense marched down into the red zone. The Browns defense then came up with a big third down stop. On fourth down from the Cleveland seven yard line, the Colts decided that with 2:53 left in the game to kick a field goal to make the score 29-23 and just a one possession game.
With three time-outs and the two-minute warning to play with. The Colts hoped that their defense could get the ball back to the Colts’ offense with a chance to win the game. After an incomplete pass by a visible shaken up Baker Mayfield. It was third and nine for the Browns with 2:27 left in the game. The Colts still had one timeout left and the two minute warning to stop the clock. Cleveland backup running back D’Ernest Johnson, got the ball on a third and nine rushing play and rushed for first down and a big gain of twenty-eight yards. Setting the Browns up for a forty-six yard field goal with just twenty-five seconds left in the game. Browns’ kicker Cody Parkey, then drilled the forty-six yard field goal off the left upright and threw to give the Browns the 32-23 lead and victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Next up for the 4-1 Cleveland Browns is the Browns biggest rival, the 4-0 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns will be traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in a big game as the Steelers are in 1st place in the AFC North Division.
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